Cable connecter



1931- cs. c. THOMAS, JR 1,816,665

CABLE CONNECTER I Original Filed Jan. 22, 1924 INVENTOR A: L) M" George6'. 7760mm Jr 4 4g 7 RNEYS Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE GEORGE C. THOMAS, JR., OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO THETHOMAS & BETTS 00., OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY CABLE coivxncrna Original application illed January 22, 1924,Serial No. 687,787. Divided and this application filed July 23, 1928.Serial No. 124,332. v

This invention relates to cable connecters for anchoring cables toelectric fixture boxes and the like, and the present application is adivision of my earlier Patent Number 1,594,225, of July 27, 1926. a

An object of the invention is to produce new and improved cableconnecters possessing a new mode of operation and which may employoperating means which is actuated from the inside and outside of a boxto establish final anchorage of all parts, i. e. the operating means,which tightens up the parts, may be actuated from both sides of the boxwall.

A further object is however to produce a connecter, the operating meansof which may be entirely actuated from the inside of the box if themechanic so desires.

A further object of the invention is to produce a cable connecteremployin a connecter member suitable inssize to t in or through a boxhole and soformed and constructed that a part of the box hole edge isexposed directly to a cable received therein so that the cable is ineffect exposed against the box hole edge, and the connecter is alsoitself anchored to thebox hole edge.

The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of the invention wherein;

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view through the assembledcable, connecter and box; and Figure 2 illustrates an inside sectionalview as taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an outside end elevation of the connecter, Figure 4 aside elevation thereof and Figure 5 an inside end elevation.

The remaining views illustrate a modified form of the invention wherein;

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled cable,connecter and box; while Figure 7 illustrates an inside cross-sectionalview taken on the line 77.

Figure 8 shows an outside end view of the modified connecter, Figure 9 alongitudinal section, and Figure 10 an inside elevation.

Ordinary electric fixture boxes B are provided with holes H for thereception of cableconnecters and the cable 0 is introduced into the boxhole H and a ichored there by operation of a connecter.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1 to 5 for description'of thesubject matter divided out of my former patent application, there isshown a connecter member 6, for example in sleeve form and having toolreceiving means such as a corrugated end or'nut end 7. The sleeve 6 ismade with a box wall entr slot 8 formed transversely in the sleeve fiirthe reception of the box hole edge H by which part of said box hole edgeis exposed directly to the cable C w1thin the sleeve. The sleeve is alsomade with a groove 9 to receive two parts, namely,

the box hole edge and key plate, but more piirtticularly to receive theedge of the key p a e. 6 i

A key cam plate 11 is made with a cam or curved inclined edge 12 and isadapted to reglsterwith the roove 9 in the connecter. That edge of t ekey plate 11 which is opposite to the cam edge 12, is intended to slideagainst the wall of a box B to thereby press the sleeve connecter 6laterally with respect to the axis of the box hole. In assembling theparts the connecter 6 is mounted in the box hole H with the cable placedtherein, the parts going together loosely whereupon the key plate 11 isplaced between the connecter 6 and the box wall so that the flat edge ofthe plate 11 bears movably on the box wall while the cam edge 12 bearsmovably in the connecter groove 9. The mechanic drives the key plateinto position with a tool or pries it with a screw driver therebyforcibly moving or sliding the plate against the connecter sleeve tomove it laterally withrespect to the box hole axis causing a part of thebox hole to project through the wall entry slot 8 and grip withconsiderable force against the cable which serves to simultaneouslyanchor the cable and the connecter in the box hole.

The mechanic may also attain final anchorage or final locking positionof all parts by grasping the end 7 of the sleeve with a pair of pliersand slightly rocking sive showing or partially rotating the connecter inthe box hole and at the same time he wedges or moves the key plate 11into final place. By slightly rotating the sleeve 6 the graduallyinclined cam plate edge 12 is drawn into place so that the key plate istightened up between the box Wall and connecter groove 9 by slightrotation of the sleeve 8 to cause the cam edge 12 to climb into place.

The slot 8 and groove 9 form spaced abutment means to receive the boxhole edge into the connecter and to guide and retain movably theconnecter in the box hole during actuation of the parts, i. e. duringactuation of the operating means to anchor all parts in rigid relation.Furthermore the abutment means anchors the connecter in the box againstlongitudinal displacement.

The sliding key plate 11 operates entirely inside the box by driving 'orforcing it into tight position between the box wall and connecter, andthus the fastening function may be accomplished by actuation of partsentirely within the box. I

On the other hand, the nut end 7 may be forcibly turned, if desired, onthe outside of the box to aid in drawing or pulling the plate 11 intoplace between the connecter and box wall. As the sleeve 6 is rocked orpartially rotated, the mechanic presses the key plate 11 forwardly andthe friction of the cam edge 12 against the groove 9 draws the plate inunder the connecter and forces the connecter sidewise in the box hole togrip the cable against the exposed box hole edge.

Thus the operating means may be actuated either entirely inside the boxor both from the inside and outside.

Referring now to Figures 6' to 10 inclu a modified form of the inventionthere is shown a sleeve 14 with double opposed entry slots 15 and 16 forthe recep' tion of the box hole edge and for reception of an'improvedkey wedge fork. A neck 18 joins the sleeve 14 to an abutment flange 19.The sleeve 14 together with the neck 18 and abutment flange 19 defineaforesaid the oppositely related entry slots 15 and 16.

The modified form of connecter therefore embodies a member having aportion, as for example the art 14, which is suitable in size to fit int e box hole with an abutment 19 that limits the distance into which itmay be projected, while the connecter member is so shaped and formed, asfor example by reason of the slots 15 and 16 or other means, that a partof the box wall edge is left directly exposed to the cable.

An improved key wedge fork embodies a wedge prong having a wedging edge22 and including a straight guide prong 23 and the two parts are joinedby a neck 24. The inside fork opening defined by the opposed prong parts21 and 23 is sufliciently hole edge H and causing the cable wide toadmit the connecter 14 and particularly to admit the neck 18 thereof sothat the opposed slots 15 and 16 register with the inner edges of thekey prongs 23 and 21.

In assembling the parts constituting the connecter shown in the latterFigures 6 to 10 just described, the connecter 14 is inserted loosely inthe box hole whereupon the cable C is introduced into the connecter. Theopposed connecter slots 15 and 16 receive a part of the box hole edgeand receive the prongs of the key wedge fork. Also the fork 2.1-23 fitsagainst the wall of the box and thus anchors the connecter in the boxhole. The edge 22 of the wedge prong 21 grips the cable and is placedbetween the cable and a Wall of the box thus moving the cable laterallywith respect to the box hole axis thereby forcing the exposed part ofthe box hole edge which is opposite the wedging edge 22, against thecable. In other words, the cable is gripped between the edge 22 and boxhole edge H. At the same time the straight key fork 23 moves into ,oneof the slots of the sleeve 14 to form an abutment against the box wallin opposite relation to the'wedgeprong 21 to prevent said part 21 fromtilting out of place.

The mechanic taps or drives the key wedge fork 21-23 into positionthereby jamming the cable against the inside box to be gripped againstthe box hole edge. At the same time the key fork establishes a firmlykeyedand wedging connection with the cable and it against longitudinaldisplacement.

The fact that the prong 23 of the key fork abuts the box wall on theside of the cable opposite the wedge prong 21 means that prong 21 cannotbe accidently displaced outwardly, that is, the edge which bears againstthe box wall cannot be pried loose because the neck 18 transmits anytilting strain exerted by the wedge 21 upwardly to the prong 23 which inturn braces the entire plate 2123 against tilting displacement.

It is to be notedthat the abutment flange 19 is large enough to coverover the box hole H and thus form a well closed and well sealed box andcable connection after the parts are assembled.

This improved connecter takes advantage of the fact that the cable isanchored to the exposed box hole edge and the connecter is likewiseanchored in and over the box hole ed e.

The slots shown in both forms of sleeve connecter are simply an exampleof means by which the box hole edge is exposed and other sleeve formsmay be produced for the same purpose. This connector is so formed as toexpose the box hole edge and carries also the key fork stands behind orat the end of the sleeve 14 thus anchoring spaced abutments in betweenwhich the box hole edge is received to guide and retain movably theconnecter during operating movement of the parts. The abutments preventlongitudinal displacement and unloosening of the parts after finalassembly and final position of all parts are attained.

What I claim is:

1. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a box provided with acable and connecter receiving hole, a connecter member of suitable sizeto fit into the hole and formed to expose a part of the box hole edgedirectly to a cable, and including spaced means in between which the boxhole edge is received to guide and retain movably the connecter duringmovement of the parts to final fixed position, and operating means onthe outside and on the inside of the box including means operableoutside the box and including a separate member operable inside the box,by which the connecter is forcibl moved laterally with respect to theaxis of the box hole to grip the cable between the exposed box hole edgeand connecter.

2. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a box provided with acable and connecter receiving hole, a connecter member of suitable sizeto fit into the hole and formed to expose a part of the box hole edgedirectly to a cable, and including spaced means in between which the boxhole edge is received to guide and retain movably the connecter duringmovement of the parts to final fixed position, and operating means onthe outside and on the inside of the box including tool receiving meansand a separate key plate, by which the member is forcibly movedlaterally with respect to the axis of the box hole to grip the cablebetween the exposed box hole edge and connecter.

3. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a box provided with acable and connecter receiving hole, a sleeve of suitable size to fitinto the hole and having an entry slot into which projects a part of thebox hole edge to grip directly against the cable, and operating means onthe outside and on the inside of the box including a separate wedgingmeans inside the box, by which the member is forcibly moved laterallywith respect to the axis of the box hole to grip the cable between theexposed box hole edge and connecter.

4. Cable and box connectingmeans comprising, a box provided with a cableand connecter receiving hole, a sleeve disposed in the hole and havingan entry slot through which projects a part of the box hole edge to gripagainst the cable, and operating means on the inside of the boxincluding a separate wedging means forced between the sleeve and boxportion, by which the member is forcibly moved laterally with respect tothe axis of the box hole to grip the cable between the exposed box holeedge and connecter.

5. A connecter comprising a member suitable in size to fit in ajboxhole, and formed to expose a part of a box hole edge to a cable, and aseparate wedging member adapted to be forced between the connector andthebottom of a box to move the connecter laterally with respect to thebox hole axis to grip a cable between the exposed box hole edge andconnecter.

6. A connector comprising a member suitable in size to fit in a boxhole, and formed to expose a part of a box hole edge to a cable, aseparate wedging member adapted to be forced between the connecter and abox portion to move the connecter laterally with respect to the box holeaxis to grip a cable between the exposed box hole edge and connecter,and means to receive a tool carried on that portion of the connecteradapted to be placed outside the box by which the connecter may berotated to aid in drawing the wedging member into place.

7 A connecter comprising a sleeve adapted to fit in a box hole, andhaving a slot into which a box hole edge may project, and a separatewedging member adapted to be forced between the connecter and the bottomof a box to move the connecter laterally with respect to the box holeaxis to grip a cable between the exposed box hole edge and connecter.

8. A connecter comprising a sleeve adapted to fit in a box hole, andhaving a, slot into which a box hole edge may project, a separatewedging member adapted to be forced between the connecter and the bottomof a box to move the connecter laterally with respect to the box holeaxis to grip a cable between the exposed box hole edge and connector,and said sleeve having a groove in which the wedging member slidablyfits.

9. A connecter comprisin a sleeve ada ted to fit in a box hole, anprovided with opposite box wall entry slots into one of which a box holeedge is received to grip against a cable, means including a fork oneprong of which slides into one slot and grips against the cable to moveit laterally in a box hole and grip said cable aforesaid, and anotherprong of which passes through the other slot and is adapted to bearagainst a box wall.

10. A connecter comprising a sleeve adapted to fit in a box hole, andprovided with opposite box wall entry slots into one of which a box holeedge is received to grip against a cable, means including a fork one,

other prong of which passes through the other slot and is adapted tobear against a box Wall, and an abutment flange included on the sleeveadjacent the slots to close a box hole.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE C. THOMAS, JR. 7/

